The Joint CARICOM-COMMONWEALTH-OAS Special Mission who, on the invitation of the government of Dominica, visited Dominica from August 6-9, 2019 to look at the electoral reform system has handed its report to the government.
In its final considerations of its 19 page report, the Mission stated that the importance of public education in a process such as this cannot be overstated.
“The Mission noted that while information had been shared publicly about the purpose and nature of the proposed electoral reform, not all persons had received sufficient, accurate information to allow them to understand the issues and to form considered opinions. The Joint Mission therefore, recommends that efforts be redoubled by the competent authorities to share accurate and reliable information on this issue,” the report states.
The Joint Mission said that it also noted with regret the mistrust and antipathy evident between the opposing sides, and said it was was informed that elements of violence, associated with politics and elections, were creeping into the society.
According to its report, “A diversity of perspectives is crucial in any healthy and successful democracy – so too is a willingness to collaborate and to compromise. Neither violence, nor the insinuation of violence, has any place in the electoral process.”
It is the Joint Mission’s view that there is an urgent need for the political leaders in Dominica to reset the political tone in the interest of Dominica.
“In particular, the Joint Mission strongly encourages the Leaders of the two main political parties to engage in earnest, meaningful and constructive one-to-one dialogue on the issue of electoral reform. All three organizations – CARICOM, the Commonwealth and the OAS – are agreeable to facilitating such an endeavour should this recommendation be welcomed by the political leaders.”
“Ultimately, only the people of Dominica can determine what is best for Dominica,” the Joint Mission report concludes. “The Joint Mission encourages all sides, and all citizens to renew their commitment to collaborate in resolving Dominica’s electoral challenges and to establish a firm foundation for the continued modernization and strengthening of the country’s electoral processes.”
Meantime, Dominica’s attorney general Levi Peter says that the Joint Special Mission, like the government, is of the view that the existing electoral legislation must be amended to enable photo identification card. The government Peter stated is also pleased to note that the mission has acknowledged that the Prime Minister has the constitutional right to call elections at any time of his choosing.
However, Peter stated that the as regards other aspects and recommendations of the report, the government notes and accepts the important best practice principles that, electoral reform needs to be carefully managed to ensure that it reaches its intended and stated purpose without confusing electors and with minimal disruption to the electoral administration. Also, an unsuccessful attempt at reform could have serious consequences.
“In that vein, regrettable, the government is unable to accept aspects of the recommendations contained in the report in particular in recommendation to the house to house re-verification exercise. The government’s reasons are detailed in its written response to the Mission,” AG Peter stated.
Peter said that in summary, “the government is of the view that recommendations from the Joint Mission in particular the re-verification, are “unworkable and if implemented will cause confusion and disruption contrary to best practice and importantly will not result in the required updating of the list.”
“It will not result in the mandatory use of the photo ID and will not be properly updated and cleansed. The recommendation of the house to house is not supported by Dominica’s laws and even if it was, it could not properly update or cleanse the voters list as proposed,” he said.
He continued, “Dominica would essentially be in exactly the same place in respect to the voters list as we now are. Accordingly, the report will have the unacceptable impact of causing the state to incur significant increased financial, human and other resource cost for no real reform or disenable improvement in our electoral process.”
“Electoral reform is a complex and challenging endeavor which requires the co-operation, political maturity, broad involvement, and goodwill of as wide as possible of a cross section of the society. The government will continue to be mindful of the very important best practice principle that an unsuccessful attempt at reform could have serious consequences.
“The government is of the firm view that in all the circumstances the draft amendment bills and the confirmation process propose in those Bills provides the best means of securing credible and workable and lawful electoral reform which will deliver mandatory issuance and use of photo ID for updating and cleansing the list. Government will continue to engage the opposition parties, Joint Mission other stake holders and other regional and international partners in its effort to achieve effective electoral reform,” Peter stated.
No surprise that Levi is the face of this savagely corrupt administration on this particular issue. The man is a lapdog of the PM. Levi, as the country’s Attorney General, makes Dominica looks like an intellectual desert. The man reasons like a moron. Instead of trying to defend the people from Skerrit’s unlawful and corrupt tendencies he gives the man credence to persist with his destruction of the country’s most revered institutions. Now Skerrit feels as though he has unbridled authority to vandalize every public institution and organization. Dominica will continue to operate in reverse if Skerrit and his obedient, no backbone disciples get another term to put their ruinous and kleptomaniacal hands on the financial and physical resources of the country.
So, here we have it Dominicans; The government the one man government Roosevelt Skerrit invited mediators so to speak; who may have studied the situation, and rendered recommendations to which Levi Peter, that old washed man and Roosevelt refuse to adhere to; and work accordingly with the opposition to achieve a common goal!
If the joint mission issued a bias conclusion in Roosevelt favor, the wrath of the red devils would fall on the UWP; they would suggest Lennox be hung!
There is no question about it, Roosevelt does not want political reform in the country, the only way there will be free and fair election in the country, is when people take to the streets; demonstrate, resists until Roosevelt is overthrown.
I am surprised at the hogwash Levi spoke; he does not appear to be neither rational, or intelligent!
Simply another senile political puppet, a tool of one whom could be his great; great, grandson!
I agree largely with the report. I also do agree, that house to house verification seems unworkable. Not because of technicalities, just the nature of our people.
Putting such a system in place is costly and combersom and vi could see trouble on door steps. I could see a situation where a person lives elsewhere, but wishes to vote somewhere else, yet on voting day, demands to vote where they live now. (you know how arrogant and stubborn our people can be)
Long term, I have two suggestions:
1) A system be put in place where diaspora voters are enable to vote at their high commission in the nation they reside
2) If no High commission is situated in that nation, then ballot voting should be implemented.
3) Each household should be sent a voting registration form 6 months minium before any election. This will inform the authorities,
(a) who resides in the property (b) who’s eligible to vote
This form can then be used to clean the voter list.
Skerrit will never take “de bait”
BLABLABLA!!!!. Make both heads of the parties debate. Lets hear what each have to say on relative issues such as electoral reform. Then break it down to the constituency level where each rep debates.
Great idea as I think that this should be a staple leading up to all general elections going forward. The electors will be in a better position to make an informed decision. Unfortunately, as long as Skerrit and his sycophants maintain power, this reality will be elusive. They cannot defend their nigh twenty years of nothingness and destruction in government. They have destroyed agriculture, manufacturing, the civil service, in fact, the entire economy. They have allowed hospitals, health centres, post offices, court buildings, police stations to decay. The present administration has become an existential threat to Dominica. They have to vacate office.
%,%,%,this is a RECOMMENTATION.The Government does not have to AGREE with any recommendations.There are LAWS in place in Doninica dealing with the electoral system.You%,Ibo France,Viewsexpress,,Telemacque are too idiotic to understand.You CANNOT REMOVE a voter’s name from the VOTERS list unless there is an OBJECTION,THAT IS THE LAW.Some people live on a BABOON FARM.
You cannot even spell the word you fool. It is Recommendation. It is an objective report based on outsiders looking in and how we can improve. IF we dont want to improve just say so. But dont act like we have or we are, when we arent doing anything. Levi Peter is the Attorney General, however he acts like he is a laborite first, then the AG. Such a tool. when these guys are done, we will be left to wonder why we never took to the streets earlier. “if we had known” but all the signs are there.
Lin Clown, stop swallowing DLP’s sordid and misleading rhetoric and be rational. The electoral system is the fulcrum of any democracy. When it becomes corrupt everything else goes awry. Dominica lingers in a permanent state of impoverishment mainly due to the corruption of the electoral system that has kept this group of lawbteaks in office. Most of the progressive countries throughout the world have one thing in common, a vibrant democracy with a clean and a healthy Electoral System. Educate yourself and free your mind from the government’s mind bending, inebriating propaganda. Dominica will steadfastly remain in the bottom position as long as this nefarious, birdbrain figure continues to occupy the office of Prime Minister.
The levi i knew playing football in portsmouth before he went back to england is not the same person i see and hear today.
Levi! What has happened to you brother?
What has become of you brother?
Is that what your father taught you in his church in lagoon?
Levi, where has that wonderful young man who was so admired by all of us because of you and your brother english, football skills? What happened to you levi.
Can’t you see what you are participating in will create lots of issues in the country? Is that why you came back home to do? To help destroy the moral fabric of the country, potentially helping to cause confusion?
Come on bro. That is not you! All of us from possie know that is not you, just like those in pss know that is not skerrit…
He like you were hijaked by people who do not care about the country, and it is obvious that they can run to the states. Can you? Will you too?
Levi, god is watching you just like he is watching the rest of them.
Guy, don’t blame the behavior and evil ways of Levi, and Roosevelt on anybody.
With them it is about power and money; corruption and everything; every bit of evil that does along with it.
Roosevelt was a poor boy out of the village of Vieille Case, until Roosevelt Rosie Douglas gave him and old break up car, and I understand $40,000.00 dollars to become a candidate.
Ask Roosevelt why his mama named him Roosevelt, and why he caries his mama surname “Skerrit?”
I know but I doh talking eh, cause if I talk DNO will not print it, and perhaps rather than sue me which I would win, perhaps he might send his goons to gun me down eh!
People like Levi could not maintain a legal profession in England, the odds is against people like there, in that they are not smart enough, so they run back to Dominica where they still fail in the practice; hence their alternative is politics!
Anyway me daddy name was Hector I Telemaque!
Doh know about Roosevelt papa eh!
Hahahahahahaha!
Skerrit and his gang is finished. He won’t get away with denying electoral reform nor will he get away with non accounting of the CBI program. The electorate will show him the door one way or another!
Levi don’t make yourself look ridiculous. Too costly you say? What about all that CBI money. We needing clean elections more than a Kempinski. and tell us why you cannot practise in London where you get your law degree. How can we respec you like this man, you have no lead in your pencil.
No Government should have hammer and nail in the Electoral system. You are there to finance it. So Mr PM and others please lay off and make the Electoral Officers do their work, Zor karpor
Here goes this waste of time AG. What a dusgrace to such a high office. You just sit there, get rich n play the puppets role.
You are just another selfish and lack of insiggt labourite…
Instead of you ensuring that the electoral reform takes place, you forming the fool defending votes for labour..
You honestly are the most incompetent AG in the Caribbean… Where did you really study boy?
All those years you AG n nothing to show under your tenure, shame on you. You blocking the reform…
Look alll now, the Pm n other labourites boasting that only labour assisted Dominicans,. Only labour build houses, fixed roads n so forth..
Alll you hear is house, house house…
But what about the billions?
Honestly, the AG, Pm n government must goooooooo.
Time for change.
He blocking a lot of other things too. Marijuana processing he advising the PM on that.
This one-man corrupt rogue regime prime mistake is really an imposter! He invited legitimate international and regional institutions to advise on the way forward for electoral reform, now that the report is given to them, because it’s not favorable to their illegal rogue behavior, they’re rejecting it
I always knew that the one-man corrupt rogue regime have been playing games trying to have time run-out. Now that they are cornered by the report, they’re backing off! Now the people have more reasons to stand-up to these rogues, the regional and international bodies are on the people’s side!!!
As there is work being done on the future report to follow can a copy of the actual report be acquired and published for the general public’s benefit,,,
Their is a dictatorship in the works on Dominica, one man rule for life. The next election is going to be rigged so that yours truly the millionaire self appointed minister of finance can keep himself in power and get richer by continuing to rob the treasury.
If anyone had doubts about coming out to protest and clamour for reform, well it’s now those people should really feel invigorated, and strengthened and buoyed to stand up .
Now I can firmly say that WE MUST GET REFORM before we go to the polls!!!
How happy I feel tonight!!
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
It is time to review the office of Attorney General in the Commonwealth of Dominica, the person holding that office should not be allowed to part of the Parliamentary debate; it would therefore much easy for persons like Levi Peter to perform his functions as AG of Dominica and not the Deception Lies and Propaganda (DLP) dishonest party.
Captain the ship is sinking. Skerritt wants to do what Skerritt wants and no dog should bark. You invited an August body to review the situation and make recommendations and it seems you are dismissing their summary out of hand. So who is Skerritt serving? Ignore their summary recommendations to your peril.
COSTLY? So why allu giving those young men in Roseau big cool out (vehicles) that park on block selling illicite products, right in allu face? Chrupes tan.
Papa Zor.
I hope all the blinded eyes will be opened.
I hope all the wicked hearts will be touched.
When will we call wrong,wrong and right right
This DLP regime needs to pack up and leave before they all get destroyed.
the worst thing is those pastors that accept what is going on and refuse to call for justice.
those priests too.
Even the Pastor in Nashville that seem to be supporting his cousin the ambassador and refusing to see wrong.
Pastor go and look after you flock before the sheep go astray.
you remember you contested and the people rejected you.
Instead of winning your cousin for Christ you allow her to win you to the Corrupt Labar party.
Wow! So the cookie monster new he was cheating all along, yet he invited foreign groups to see if they wouldn’t curse Linton them out for him and, on top of that he spent thousands to bring down Shirley Cesar to see if that so Called praise and worship would fool God and he would get favor and everything failed Cookie Monster? So now I know who stole the cookies from the cookie jar
So that said must I conclude that Alibaba and his forty Thieves are in uncivil disobedience and our civil disobedience should start sooner than the announced date,?
So that said means, Skerrit’s legacy of lies, hypocrisy, and stealing our elections and more… is over!
Further to my earlier comment, I think it is the civic and even moral duty to request the full dissemination of the report, and the government ought to be duty bound to appropriately inform the public as a constitutional obligation in a democratic society under God (APRES BON DIEU CÉST LA TERRE);
This is especially important as the Government specifically requested these three organizations (CARICOM, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Organization of American States (OAS) to dispel what was deemed to be misconceptions about electoral reform.
Indeed, the Government was right to have invited these organizations.
NOW It is all the more a matter of Political, Civic and moral rectitude to exercise political hygiene in informing the populace Appropriately and timely.
Thereafter, the onus is on the Government, and it is the most prudent and GODLY thing to do, to identify the recommendations that it deems unacceptable, unworkable and likely to cause confusion
We waiting patiently like hawks
But… I thought the attorney general was supposed to agree with what’s best for the country not what’s best for the Labour Party. 😒
Don’t you ever expect the Skerrit-DLP led regime to do the right thing. This is a morally, ethically challenged quasi dictatorship. The only purpose they exist is to fill their pockets with ill-gotten gains.
So the Government of Dominica know better than these three reputable orginisations?
This Government is a MESS. Just to say in power you have failed to give the people what they want.
One mill out off 1.2 bill left what? I cant count forget it lets hit d road on monday d day for electorial reform and our1.2 bill
In situations like these, the best approach is to make the report public in its entirety. Then the Government in its own deliberate judgement would dissect it, refuting each area that is deemed unacceptable, with wholesome, credible, logical and legal premise for not accepting the report. The entire populace should be given the report (either a few copies in print and copies on GIS, DNO, and other Media websites).
This would allow ALL to see the document, assess and analyse its content and thereafter agree or disagree with the report as the case may be.
Any approach short of that will open to speculation, discontent of an uncanny nature, and the aura of non-transparency (intended or non-intended) will loom large and create more unease, dissent and resentment in an already overly politically charged environment.
It is in times like these that our SPIRITUAL ELDERS, LEADERS & GOVERNMENT must use wisdom and exercise a sense of HIGH LEVEL SOCIAL, MORAL & POLITICAL HYGIENE.
Too costly
whats is the cost. just sell a few passports to pay the cost, just CBI the cost. But i am sure its less than 1.2 billion dollars
These organizations have no dog in the fight. If Skerrit and his goons refuse to implement the recommendations offered, I hope Skerrit is exposed to the global community how corrupt his incompetent administration is. They have gain power by trickery, shenanigans and political machinations. If the elections are fought on a level playing field, there is no way Skerrit’s severely corrupt and totally useless party can win. I’m happy the outside world is getting a fresh look at the corrupt practices that have taken root in Dominica’s local elections. The government invited these three non-partisan organizations to use their expertise to suggest ways of improving the electoral process. Can this government now reject their recommendations? A corrupt political party fights tooth and nail to maintain its illicit and immoral practices to retain power. They win elections by fraudulent means but they don’t succeed. The decrepit state of Dominica enough evidence.
They can only reject the report if we allow Skerrit the false God and his gang to do so .
I am prepared to put my boots on the ground to protest, while we expose Skerrit internationally!
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
One can request for assistance from any and everyone but depending on the kind and condition of the assistance you receive it’s left to you to accept or reject it..
Ibo MALAPROP France, you keep embarrassing yourself every time you come on this site.
You are playing smart but you are not clever. You keep writing to fool your base with lies and deception because of your hate for Skeerit. You must realize that Skerrit did not place himself there. The MAJORITY OF DOMINICANS did. Come this election THEY are going to do it again. 5 more years. 21 and done. UWP SHALL BE NO MORE!
Skerrit is a corrupt, human Category 5 hurricane. He is in office by a fraudulent Electoral System replete with loopholes. The man has done more damage to Dominica than all the storms combined to hit the country. Once the recommendations by the Special Non-partisan Group is put in place DLP will be banished from the government for the foreseeable future.
I would Like to see that the implementation of candidates contesting General Election have a criteria set in the commonwealth of Dominica. the contestant should be people who are qualify and certified to contest election there should be studies one complete to contest General Election. almost every Job you need certification and qualification even for basic Jobs, yet for the highest Job in the land it appears it wipe your feet on the mat and come a country is not a corn tree, and a toys. It people lives and their livelihood being impacted. There needs to have criteria am begging for it for years now. what qualifies one to contest do you agree? ????
What qualifications are you talking about? There is a need for honesty, integrity, humility and loyalty to the constitution. If you are implying academic achievement, you should say so because you will be called out for your elitism. You must be aware of what Sukie said about the successful businessmen in Dominica without formal tertiary education. Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of college. Many highly educated people are in jails because they are bad operators so to rely on educational achievement is biased and ignorant.
Read the Constitution .
The criteria is well said out in the Constitution .
Total nonsense.!
I suspect where u are heading with that comment. I do not know any country on earth which has a different Qualification besides age and citizenship. If u know of one enlighten us . In an island with a population of 20 people u coming with that garbage.
First of all criteria is plural, even this bookie knows that and so is contestant by the way and before shooting off about qualifications to be a member of Parliament, and therefore leader of our country read the constitution. That is very clear and if you do not agree with our constitution may God help you.
How uneducated ppl telling politicians they are uneducated nuh? That paragraph was hard to read with spelling and grammar mistakes abound. Now a critical thinking question: Is Skerrit qualified to be the Minister of Finance?
We can send for top artist and have free show. It cannot be that costly. Since when does the ruling party worry about cost? For diverting mony to party campaign it fine but to do the work of the people it is too costly. I bet if the report was favorable you guys would spend a **** load to party so dont give me that crap. Paying for voters to come home is also costly.
Not to mention all the staging, lighting and sound systems, payment of transportation and DLP paraphernalia. I always wonder how they get allllll that money to do that almost every week. those rallies are not cheap! every political party should be audited so that the people can see where the money that pay for all the hype and showdown and fanfare comes from. Dominicans playing like ignorance is bliss and all is well, but at the end of the day ROSEAU OUR CAPITAL is still a dump. Our healcare is left wanting, private sector dying and the list goes on.
I foresee a venezuela situation after the election
You lie with dogs, you rise with fleas
Electoral reform needs a cool out. What de problem be
Reform is a must!!
Thank you Electoral Reform Commission!!!
Take that false God Skerrit!!!
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Keep the pressure on dem %, until they give an account of the 1.2 billion dollars.
A report from an independent, knowledable group comprising a cross-section of valued institutions, n the government rejects it? What next is up ur political
sleeve, PM Skerrit? And whose interest do you serve – the national interest, or your personal interest?
Mr. Simon ,Sir .
would you care to sit with Levi and give him a few pointers ?
Unfortunately ,he seems misguided about the whole thing ; and it would do him a world of good receiving a bit of guidance from a learned person such as you .
Thanks
With all the coolout monies and extravagant cost of hiring top performers for the ostentatious Maria concert, recommendations for fair elections are “…costly to implement.”
Dominicans seriously need a divine intervention to be awakened from the years in coma.
Stupes
Dominica is not a country… it is a fools paradise
To think beyond what many Dominicans in Dominica have experienced as the NORM for so long…….for your children’s children.
POSTED AGAIN TO WEIGH AGAINST DOMINICA’S CURRENT SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS WHICH HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME TO MAINTAIN A STRUCTURE OF OPPRESSION FOR THE MAJORITY.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQcCk6x56QE
Well duhhhhh if they say they agree then they would be agreeing to what right minded people have been saying all along. And that cannot be the case….
What half … reporting is this? Why not just wait for after the press conference, obtain a copy of the transcript and give us a full report.
Stupes .
Well usually when there’s breaking news…details are given later.
It’s called breaking news…majee!
@ ms francis.. it’s called “breaking news”.. we’re going to get an update later.. why you want to be there bashing DNO?..
A Scripture to PM Skerrit from Acts 16: 27-28
“The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself!”
PM please pay special attention to verse 28 because fear could cause wrong actions.
@Take warning PM, I see that as long something is written against the Prime Minister, the thumbs rating goes high sky from your fellow UWPites.
I am sure that those who gave you the thumbs up–have never even read that story in the Bible, or nothing it at all.
But the Word of the Bible is my spiritual food, and you made no sense, equaling the Prime with that story.
Paul was working for Jesus and the Roman forces wanted to kill him. But with God, that could never be, so His angels went into the cell to set Paul free.
When the jail guard, woke up from his sleep and saw the door was wide open, he knew that he was in big trouble with the authorities, so he decided to do what the authorities would do to him–he was about to kill himself.
So Paul the man of God, whom He had set free, stoped the Jailguard from killing himself. So where does PM Skerrit fit in your observation? Stuuupes man!
You are a hypocrite, go away. Your comments are completely irrelevant!
False God Skerrit …….. tried the same dirty tricks he tries in Dominica with his Labourites, thinking that the Electoral Reform Mission that has been warning him (them) for years, would say something different..
Baich!!
Reform is BOUND to be given. Burton and company, good must triumph over evil..!!
Caval..
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Caval !!!!!The Electoral Reform Mission has hoisted this corrupt DLP on its own petard!!!!
It’s not acceptable????
What it is that is unacceptable? Gerald Burton you are obliged to give us reform!!!! You must,!!
Election deadline is about 6 to 7 months from now..False God Skerrit and the other DLP imposters behave yourselves… Reform is a must, not an option!!!
Give us our ID card and cleansing of the electors list…
Caval..!!!!
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
This cannot be too costly for our democracy skerrit
What part of “BREAKING NEWS” you don’t understand?
Sometimes we need to pause and think before opening our mouth according to the legendary Matt Peltier.
Skerrit and his cheerleaders chose the referees. Why are they having problems with the results? The regime is comprised of a set of nakedly corrupt crooks and invalids.
The big question is WHY would any government fight against the opportunity to legitimize itself as a government the people, By the people, For the people. WHY would any government not want to get transparency and accountability in the elections process?
The only logical answer is that they know that they cannot win in an elections where the voters list is clean, They know that they cannot win if all voters are mandated to present an ID card for voting. What does that say? Their intentions are fraudulent….to try to steal yet another elections.
Dominicans your future is in your hands.
Ofcourse they don’t want it because they will use all the dead ppl names and thise who are living overseas that dont come and vote to add to their ballot to win again. Thats the only way Labor can win by their nasty dutty ways.
DNO, although the News conference is still in progress and a full detailed report of the conference has not been release, DNO is quick to give a partial report on the story. Why the rush? Couldn’t DNO await for a full report?
You are spilling garbage behind a computer, and you still have not gotten a copy of the report? Buffoon Austrie needs to call you “Last in everything man”..
Reform is a must Not an option!
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
I know ppl like you cannot read but please understand what Breaking News means.
@kid; you’re cornered on the block!!!
mr peters can you make the report public and i dont believe that it would cost a quater of the palace that is been built at morne daniel
The report needs to be published so that the public can view the challenges, issues, failings, and recommendations for themselves, please! We Dominicans are intelligent people and do not need any interpretation or spin form the same failing politicians! Show us the report let us see what you all in Government are failing to do for free and fair elections in the Commonwealth of Dominica!